… Keep Warm on the Slopes?
The snow is flying and the mountains beckon with their white and
craggy peaks. The holidays are over and the ski-season is in full
effect. The exhilaration of skiing and snowboarding can get the
adrenaline pumping but if mountain-goers are ill-prepared it can
also leave them numb. To stay warm on the slopes, here are some
recommendations from Tim Watkins of Balanced Rock Bike and Ski in
Monument.
Put on a hat: A large percentage of body heat escapes through
the head and neck area so by simply throwing on a beanie you can
warm up your toes. Also, helmets are designed for warmth so you can
bolster your comfort while protecting your skull by putting one
on.
Layer: There are numerous high-tech materials that can wick
moisture, insulate and keep you comfortable on the slopes. Layering
also allows for flexibility; if you get hot take a layer off so you
don’t get sweaty. Sweat can cause your body to cool as soon as you
are sitting still on a windy lift.
Socks: Use only one pair of socks with wicking capabilities like
polypropylene or Smart Wool. Wearing more than one pair can cause
bunching and discomfort and the wicking properties will keep
moisture away from your feet and will help keep them warm.
Wear mittens: Mittens will keep your hands warmer than gloves
because your fingers will share the warmth, and you can also wear a
glove underneath so your fingers don’t get cold while adjusting
bindings and straps. If you don’t like mittens, make sure the
gloves you have are waterproof and are made with quality material
like Thinsulate.
Watch what you drink: While hot drinks may feel good on the
slopes, be careful not to drink hot beverages like coffee right
before going on a run. They may be vasodilators which widen blood
vessels and can cause you to get cold quicker. If you do decide to
drink something hot, wait a little bit before heading back out.
Think wind: Wind can sap your warmth extremely fast and you can
choose runs based on what is the least windy in order to mitigate
some of its effects. Certain sides of the mountain will have
different wind speeds than the others so run those with the least
bluster.
Teamwork: Always ski and board in pairs and check up on each
others’ well being. Make sure your partner is not getting red or
white spots on their face that could indicate the onset of
frostbite. The ski patrol is quickly responsive to big falls but
they tend not to notice those subtler injuries.